Daniel Flesch , then a college student at the University of Illinois , had heard too much anti-Israeli sentiment .

He had family members who had survived the Holocaust and felt compelled to fight back at what he perceived as a growing level of anti-Semitism in America . So in 2010 , he joined Israel 's military .

`` I just did n't want to sit on the sidelines , '' the now-26-year-old said in an interview via Skype . `` I wanted to actually fight back against those who think Israel and the Jewish people should not exist . ''

Flesch , now a graduate student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington , became what 's known as a `` lone soldier '' -- a citizen from another country who joins the Israel Defense Forces -LRB- IDF -RRB- .

It 's believed there are approximately 750 Americans currently serving in the Israeli military , according to the New York-based Friends of IDF . The group raises funds for the cultural , recreational and social needs of Israeli soldiers .

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Although there are no firm numbers of those who have signed up in recent days , the interest level of Americans seems to have increased amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas , according to Orit Mizner , southwest regional director for Friends of Israel Scouts , an organization that helps North American Jews stay connected to Israel .

`` Those kind of phone calls keep on coming . ... There 's definitely a sense of the need to be in Israel and a need to take part in what 's going on , '' said Mizner , whose organization runs a program called Garin Tzabar , which helps facilitate Americans ' entry into the IDF .

Americans have been serving in the IDF for decades . Israel requires that its citizens serve in the military when they turn 18 -- three years for men , two years for women . Young Americans with dual citizenship living in Israel are required to serve as well .

Those outside Israel , whether they hold Israeli citizenship or not , can apply for the IDF if they meet requirements including no criminal record , a high school diploma and the ability to speak Hebrew .

The U.S. government does n't discourage those wanting to join , but some may question why those willing to put themselves in harm 's way would choose the IDF as opposed to the American military .

`` As much I 'm a proud American , '' said David Meyers of Belmont , California , `` there 's an incredibly deep and long connection that I have to Israel . ''

Meyers , who now works in sales in Silicon Valley , holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship .

`` The United States with its strength and size , perhaps , is n't quite needing your abilities and your efforts , '' he said , explaining his choice to spend six years in the Israeli navy .

His Israeli-born comrades sometimes expressed puzzlement over his decision to leave the comforts of American life for the dangers of military service , he said .

`` They sometimes scratched their heads when they see people coming from other countries , '' said Meyers , who served in the Israeli navy in the late 1980s and early '90s . But he added that he was warmly embraced .

Flesch , who is not an Israeli citizen , served more than 18 months . He became a paratrooper in the Israeli army and was recognized twice as the outstanding soldier of his platoon .

His proudest achievement : `` That I 'd done my part to defend the Jewish people -LRB- from -RRB- those who tried to harm us throughout the years . ''

For some Americans , Gaza conflict strikes close to home

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About 750 Americans are currently in the Israeli military , an advocacy group says

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In Israel , military service is required of all citizens at age 18 , male and female

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That includes young Americans with dual citizenship living in Israel

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Those outside Israel can apply if they meet requirements including speaking Hebrew